Tag: solar energy california

Solar power expansion may help and hurt the environment at the same time. California’s solar energy sector continues to expand due to the push to lower greenhouse gas emissions and fight climate change and because of the low cost of solar panels. However, a recent study has revealed that some scientists are becoming more concerned that placing new large-scale solar plants in the Mojave Desert could actually harm the ecosystem that naturally exists there. Solar panels built in underdeveloped natural areas can crowd out wildlife and devastate their habitat. According…

State reaches new record with its solar energy production in March The California Independent System Operator has announced that the state has reached a new record in terms of solar energy production. The state has been a longstanding supporter of solar power and has been working to make renewable energy a priority for several years. California is currently considered a leading market for solar power due to the aggressive support it has shown for the solar sector. As the state’s installed solar capacity continues to increase, it will likely continue to…

World’s largest solar power system begins producing electricity in California The world’s largest solar energy system has been activated. The Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System is based in California, a state that has been a strong supporter of solar power for several years. The project is the largest of its kind, using concentrated sunlight to generate electrical power. The energy system has been backed by several large companies, including Google. The system was developed by NRG Energy, Bechtel, and BrightSource Energy. Ivanpah boasts of a maximum energy capacity of 392MW…

Drought causes shortfall in hydroelectricity production throughout the state California is currently suffering from one of the worst droughts it has experienced in recent history. The state has long been susceptible to droughts of varying intensity, but this recent drought is beginning to threaten California’s hydroelectricity capabilities. Hydropower accounts for a significant portion of the state’s energy supply, but as water supplies evaporate the state’s ability to generate electrical power through its various hydropower systems is beginning to fall apart. Fortunately, California may have enough solar energy capacity to close…

Short days do not hamper solar production Winter days are short, but that does not mean they are bad in terms of solar energy. California has established itself as one of the leaders in solar power, but many believe that photovoltaic systems falls short during the winter, when sunlight is not as abundant as it is during other seasons. According to the California Independent System Operator, which manages the state’s energy grid, solar energy has not actually fallen short during the winter. In fact, solar power production has increased. 2,800MW…

Funding for residential solar energy projects shifts Solar energy systems for homes are expected to become more accessible in San Diego, California, thanks to new funding provided to the California Solar Initiative. The program is designed to provide financial support for solar energy projects. This support is given for the first 180 megawatts worth of solar projects that take root within the San Diego area. The vast majority of this funding, however, was for non-residential projects, but that is changing due to action from the California Public Utilities Commission. $5…

California to boast of a new solar energy power plant First Solar, a leading solar energy company, has announced that it has partnered with a subsidiary of NextEra Energy Resources in order to build a new solar power plant in Riverside, California. The new project is one of several similar initiatives that have taken root in California in recent years. Many solar developers have been flocking to the state in order to take advantage of the programs and services offered by the government. These projects are helping the state move…

Solar energy breakthrough achieved by UCLA researchers Researchers from the University of California, Los Angeles, (UCLA) have made a major breakthrough in the field of solar energy. The team has been working on developing a new kind of solar cell that could change the way energy is harnessed from sunlight and open up more efficient options when it comes to tapping into this energy. Researchers have developed a transparent photovoltaic film that may be able to turn nearly any surface into a solar energy collector. Transparent solar cells are gaining…

Kyocera and Toyota come together to support solar energy once again Kyocera Solar, a developer of solar energy systems, has announced that its solar modules have been put to use by Japanese automaker Toyota. The automaker has a strong interest in renewable energy and has been looking for ways to incorporate clean technologies into its worldwide business. While much of the company’s interest in clean power is exemplified by its use of hydrogen fuel, its interest in renewable energy extends beyond transportation. This week, the company successfully installed new solar…

California breaks previous solar energy generation record California ISO, operator of the state’s energy grid, has announced that the state has reached a new record in terms of solar energy generation. California has long been considered the bastion of solar energy in the U.S. The state has several policies in place to support the adoption and growth of solar power and state officials have worked aggressively to ensure that the state remains a leader in this particular field of sustainability. California is home to several breakthroughs when it comes to…

Solar energy continues to be a strong focus for California Renewable energy has become a top priority in the U.S., with the federal government devoting a significant amount of attention to cleaner forms of power. California is among the leading states in the country that have adopted a strong advocacy for renewable energy. Much of the state’s focus has been centered on solar energy and California has become a leader in the solar energy sector and has remained so for several years. Now, the state’s focus seems to be paying…

California to be home to largest concentrated solar energy system in the world California has long been a bastion for solar energy in the U.S. The state has several policies that have provided strong support to the growth and adoption of solar energy and many of the state’s cities are turning to this form of renewable energy in order to break away from fossil-fuels. Now, the state is slated to become home to the , which comes from solar energy companies Abengoa and BrightSource Energy. Concentrated solar power continues to…

Mandatory solar energy may be a reality in Lancaster Renewable energy has been a hard sell in the U.S. Politically, renewable energy is a controversial issue due to its ties to climate change. Beyond the world of politics, renewable forms of power seem to be more accepted, but only on the surface, as many consumers are not eager to adopt clean energy systems due to the large upfront costs they are known for. In the U.S., solar energy is now experiencing a similar problem that some forms of insurance had…

California sets new record for solar energy production in winter In August of 2012, California crossed a significant solar energy milestone, reaching 1 gigawatt of solar energy production. The state has long been a major player in the solar energy sector due to its many alternative energy-friendly policies and the incentives it provides businesses adopting clean forms of power. Throughout 2012, the state has been working to increase its solar energy capacity and seems to have been rampantly successful in this endeavor. Data shows that state generates significant amounts of…

Federal agency seeks approval for California Solar Zone California may be home to a new “solar zone”, if a proposal from the Bureau of Land Management is approved. The California Solar Zone would be home to many of the solar energy projects that would take root in the state in the future. The land chosen by the Bureau of Land Management is considered ideal for solar energy projects because of its constant exposure to sunlight and solar radiation. The agency has released its latest edition of its proposal this week.…

Yingli wins contract for ambitious solar energy project Yingli Green Energy Americas, a subsidiary of China’s Yingli Green Energy Holding, has announced that it has finalized its largest contract to date. Yingli has been selected by the Fluor Corporation, a leading engineering and construction company operating in the U.S., to participate in the Centinela Solar Energy Facility Project. The project is being managed by LS Power, a clean energy group, and is taking place in Southern California. Yingli has been selected to supply its innovative solar energy technologies to the…